Former DA, Word War II vet dies at 80

June 08, 2005|By MIKE O'BRIEN, Daily American Staff Writer

Somerset County lost one of its most beloved sons Wednesday when Alexander Ogle passed away at his home at the age of 80.

A descendant of one of Somerset's founding fathers, a decorated World War II submariner and an active member of the local and state political and civic community, Ogle leaves behind a deep impression of community involvement with his passing.

"We're very proud of our father, and our father was very proud to be a Somerseter," said his son John Ogle Wednesday evening:

"Dad was involved in everything from local politics to being Somerset's district attorney from 1962 to 1970, and prior to that he was a member of Somerset's school board when they built the existing senior high school in the early 1960s," Ogle said.

Advertisement

Ogle added that his father also held the post of Republican county chairman and then state committee member as well.

But it was his love for Somerset county and all its contents that Alexander Ogle talked about in a recent Area Personality profile in the Daily American.

"I've trampled every piece of woods in this county," he said at the time. "I took my children hiking with me and now I'm taking my grandchildren. There's just so much to see here."

Those hikes apparently succeeded in passing on his love of Somerset County to his children.

"He taught all of us to appreciate the history and people of Somerset County, but also the historical sites of the county too, from Mount Davis to Barronville Bridge to even the Nicely Brothers murder trial in the 1890's at the courthouse," his son said.

Current Somerset school board president John Coleman said Wednesday night that he knew Ogle for almost his entire life.

"I've known him since I was a child," Coleman said. "That individual was, in my opinion, one of the most intelligent people that has ever come out of this town."

Coleman added that even during the recently rancorous teacher's contract dispute which was settled earlier this year, Ogle offered his assistance to bring the two sides together.

"Even at the height of the contract dispute, he was willing to enter in and do what he could to bring about a resolution," said Coleman.

"He was a one-of-a-kind individual who will be greatly missed. There's no replacing that guy."

Ogle's three sons, John, Jim and Tom all agree that their father's wartime service should never be forgotten by the people of his beloved Somerset County.

"Over the years, we've heard a lot of his World War II stories, and he was very proud of his service. He's our own little bit of America's greatest generation," John Ogle said.